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Thursday, 5 December 2013

Sacred music in Dublin, Ireland, Dec. 2013

Dr Tim Sharp, executive director of the American Choral Directors Association, has an impressive record of performances, publications, choral compositions, and arrangements. These include 'Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass', in which the movements of the Ordinary of the Mass are set to bluegrass music with Southern Harmony tunes. This has already been recorded and performed with some of Nashville's finest musicians.

Dr Sharp (himself a banjo-picker) is bringing 'Come Away to the Skies' to Dublin, Ireland, on the three successive days 27-9 December, with performances in Christ Church protestant cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, and a protestant church in the south Dublin suburbs. The instrumental work is being provided by musicians from the Dublin bluegrass scene.

For a foretaste of the music in this unique and historic event, use the following YouTube links:

In addition, the Sacred Harp Singers of Dublin will be hosting an All-Day Singing in the Franciscan Friary on Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8, this coming Saturday (7 December) from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., with visiting singers from Cork and the UK. As always with the Sacred Harp group, everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary.